How To Choose A Tour Operator
Choose a tour operator can be a difficult process. Who do you choose? What questions do you ask? How can you be sure that this tour operator will give you the right vacation at the right price with the right level of service? The answers all come from the right questions. By asking the right questions, you will find out all that you need to know in order to choose the right tour operator. What Is Their Reputation? This is among the first questions you should ask. Of course, being this general may not produce the information you desire, but it is the underlying goal of this line of questioning. A company’s reputation can be identified by how many years it has been in business, how it ranks in crucial areas compared to its competition, and any awards it may have won. These aspects may provide some insight into what kind of company the tour operator in question is, although there is no better review that can be given than a word-of-mouth critique. If you have any friends, family or co-workers who have used a specific tour operator that opinion is a great place to start. If no one you know has used this company, then find out if the tour operator has any affiliations with business organizations that are held in high esteem. Any awards or similar recognition for excellence is another telltale sign of a company that could be a winner and worth looking into further. Other important questions are: Is this company small or large? How does this affect its service on the personal level? How does this affect the choices it offers when it comes to tour packages? The answers to these questions can indicate what kind of experience you will have if you choose to make your plans with this specific tour operator. A small company may work harder to keep you satisfied with personalized service, and a large company may offer more options. Of course, a large company may work just as hard to make sure you are satisfied, and a smaller company may have just the tour package that you are looking for. You just have to do some research to find out. Rest assured, the more time that you take to become informed about the company, the more comfortable you will be when you make your final decision. Check Their History Another aspect you may want to consider is the company’s track record. Has the company been in business for a long period of time? The answer to this important question can be an indication of stability and reliability of the company. If everything else you have found out about the company is adding up, the length of time the company has been in business could be what finalizes your decision. The more questions you ask, the more information you can learn. Is the company well connected? If the company is a partner with other reputable companies then it may be able to offer you special discounts on related services. Also, does this company specifically have a long history of tours like the one you are looking for? An established tradition of tours may have led to improvements to the tour over time. You want to know what they have done, how well they have done it, and how long they have done it for. What Is Their Relationship With Their Customers? This is a big question and a telling aspect about the level of service the company provides. Although price is very important, customer service is important as well. How friendly is the tour operator? Are they available for questions, concerns, and anything else you may need? Can they tell you everything about the tour that you are considering, and can they send you thorough information which pertains to tours and attractions? Remember, the tour operator you choose will work for you. Providing you with all of the details and the level of customer service you require is important to your eventual happiness with the vacation itself. Find out if the tour operator in question has a website or not. If they do have a website, how helpful is it? If you prefer to do most of your communicating online then this can be an important factor. While you want to be able to get someone from customer service on the phone at any time, a website that allows you to do everything you need to do online can be a big plus. You want the website and all other interactions with your tour operator to have a user friendly feel. The act of choosing the right tour operator starts with asking the right questions. You will trust this company with your vacation and travelling arrangements so you want to make sure that they will go above and beyond to make this the tour of your dreams. By learning as much as possible about the company’s reputation, history, and their relationships with their customers, you can make sure that you have chosen wisely. After that you can focus completely on enjoying your tour.Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific tour operators such as Globus Tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/globus/.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

London Hotel Breaks ? Grange Holborn Hotel 5* (Holborn)
Contemporary design reflecting one of the world?s most fashionable cities ? the Grange Holborn Hotel contrasts some of London?s more traditional accommodations. The modern architecture and d r mirror a city eager to keep its standards, striving to remain the benchmark. Your stay at the Grange Holborn Hotel will be one of luxury. Service is exquisite and obliges your every need. Situated where West End greets the city, the hotel is ideally placed for shopping adventures in Oxford Street, or maybe you prefer the surreal experiences of Covent Garden. The Holborn tube station is barely 400 metres walk and offers easy access to the city?s financial district. Bed and full breakfast (based on two people sharing) will cost you ?89 (per person per night) during spring, and ?92.50 throughout summer and winter. For those travelling alone a supplement of a similar amount will incur. A mid-week (Monday to Thursday) supplement valid for summer and winter will cost a further ?32.50. Royal Garden Hotel 5* (Kensington) The 5 AA red star Royal Garden Hotel parades elegance and panache to very high standards. The Royal Garden sets the yardstick others strive for, and invariably fail. Boasting a total of 396 sizeable rooms, many have magnificent views over the majestic Kensington Palace and its beautiful gardens. The hotel features two marvellous restaurants and serves three stylish bars. For the more health conscious a health club is on site and also a spa. Based in up-to-the-minute Kensington, the hotel resides just 4 minutes walk from High Street Kensington tube station, presenting easy access to most of the city and London?s vast library of attractions. Bed and full breakfast (based on two people sharing) will cost you ?102 (per person per night) during spring. Through summer and winter the price drops slightly to ?87.50. The single person?s supplement is ?93 in spring, falling to ?87.50 in the course of summer and winter. A mid-week (Monday to Thursday) supplement of ?7 is valid during spring. This rises to ?32.50 throughout summer and winter. A deluxe room upgrade is available from an extra ?40 per room per night. Please note all prices are correct at time of press (December 2005). For reservations call Superbreak on 0870 701 2200. Lines are open 8am ? 11pm 7 days a week (excluding Christmas Day). Steven Cronin owns the Sargas Travel online magazine featuring travel reviews, news, inspiration, advice and special offers. For further reading please visit <a href="http://www.sargas.co.uk" title="http://www.sargas.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.sargas.co.uk</a>
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Bangalore Weekend Getaways
Bangalore, India s Silicon Valley, has much more to offer than being the IT hub of the country. A glorious past and scenic beauty make Bangalore one of the much sought after holiday destinations too. Truly known as the Garden City , Bangalore is a picturesque land what with its temperate climate, vibrant culture, beautiful gardens and eating joints that provide the perfect ambience for a great holiday. Some of the places that you can visit in Bangalore include the beautiful Vidhana Soudha (Sunday evenings is the perfect time to see it, all illuminated); the lovely Cubbon Park which runs through the heart of the city; the Government Museum on Kasturba Gandhi Road which houses a great collection of miniature paintings, sculptures and exquisite jewellery that dates back a few hundred years. The Bangalore Palace which was built in 1880 spreads over an area of 13,700 sq. m; this magnificent structure is another of Bangalore s great landmarks. Old Bangalore remains quite untouched by the developments that the rest of the city has witnessed. It has retained its old world charm and houses several monuments that speak volumes of the city s glorious past. Here there are some beautiful structures that are amazing works of architecture. While here do visit the Palace of Tipu Sultan that was the summer retreat of the Great Hero; The Venkataramanaswamy temple built by the Wodeyars; Lal Bagh  the scenic Botanical garden which is spread over 240 acres and houses several varieties of flora; the Gavi Gangadhareshvara temple that ranks amongst one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. Around Bangalore also there are several beautiful locations that can be a great Bangalore weekend getaway. Away from the hustle and bustle of the fast city life of Bangalore is the BRT Wildlife sanctuary popularly known as BR Hills which is only 235 kms from Bangalore. Spread over 525 sq km BRT wildlife sanctuary houses a variety of fauna and here one can see animals right from elephants, sloth bears, bisons and a number of varieties of birds. It can be accessed from Bangalore by road or rail. A scenic 5 hour drive from Bangalore or a 3 hour rail journey would take you to the picturesque location. Some of the activities you would truly enjoy here is the jeep safari, the elephant ride right into the jungle and trekking in BR Hills for the true nature lovers who are ready to rough it out. While here you can visit the Biligiri Rangaswamy temple and the Doda Sampige Mara (which is a place of worship that has a huge Champaka tree and at its foot is placed more then 100 Shiva lingams). The Bandipur National Park is another beautiful place that can be enjoyed as a wildlife resort near Bangalore. Located at a distance of 220 kms from Bangalore, the Bandipur wildlife sanctuary is 5 hours by road from here. Located in southern Karnataka, Bandipur is the creation of the Maharaja of Mysore in the year 1931 and was later taken over by the Government as a Tiger Resrve. The national park is a treasure house of a variety of flora and fauna. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the park either on foot being a part of the trekking groups or take a ride on the jeep safaris and look out for the animals. The elephant ride is another great way to venture deeper into the forest and see animals in their natural habitat. A good place to stay at both places would be Jungle Lodges and Resorts You can have Bangalore as your base and visit many of the spectacular weekend getaways like Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai, Yercaud, Wayanad, Tirupati to name a few. These places are just a few hours away from Bangalore and you can quickly be transported into a very different peaceful and beautiful world.<b>Author Bio: </b><br> William Nickel traveler and nature enthusiast, experienced in arranging enchanting wildlife tours in India with knowledge on <a href="http://www.wildlifesanctuaryindia.com/safari.asp"> elephant safari, tiger safari, jeep safari, trekking India</a>, <a href="http://www.wildlifesanctuaryindia.com/">economical <b>accommodation in Mudumalai</b> wildlife sanctuary, <b>Bandipur national park and Masinagudi reserve forest in Nilgiris on the Ooty Mysore Bangalore road</b></a>
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Travel Deals
Are you ready for your next vacation? There are thousands of places that await your arrival If you are a seasoned traveler then you will know how to get your travel deals, how to play around with various options, how to earn more travel miles through air travel, where to find discount rates and when to book your tickets etc Some of us would not have mastered these skills but just envy others who manage to get cheapest travel deals year after year . .For the one who can apply his or her mind into it, getting good travel deals is not an impossible task The basic rule is that you plan in advance You can use different strategies while planning your vacation One of the ways is to decide the place where you would like to go for your vacation and play around with that option If you decide your travel destination, you can try to get the best travel deals by checking out with various air careers to find the cheapest possible deal Secondly, you can also plan your itinerary with a number of breaks and not look for a straight flight to cut down on the cost . . .Direct flights are more expensive than getting a ticket with multiple stopovers If you can put up with a little discomfort, then you can really save a great deal by booking a ticket with one or two breaks You are of course not on your business trip to get straight to the destination and attend your meeting and return In case you have to wait for a long time in the airport before you get your connecting flight, then you can probably go around the city and get to see a new place If you have already visited that city, then you can probably make prior arrangements to meet your friends who live in that city this way you can catch up with your friends and it is always good to keep in touch with your old friends . .If the place you have decided is a busy tourist destination then during the peak season both air fairs and hotel tariffs will be high If you plan your vacation when it is off season then you will be able to get off season discounted rates for your entire travel package However, you must balance between expenses and comfort By planning your vacation during off season you should be landing in your vacation destination when it is sweltering hot or terribly cold So you must find out in advance about the climatic conditions of your vacation destination . .With this combination of right air career with multiple stop over and off season vacation planning you will certainly be able to save a great deal of money that you can actually spend on treating yourself well during the vacation or to buy something nice for yourself or your loved ones . .Do not wait till the last minute to plan your vacation and make the same mistake this time again Start planning for your vacation today and get the best travel deals .
Source: www.rsstnx.com

Why Cabin Vacations Are Becoming A Popular Get-A-Way
Do you want to take your family on a fun vacation, but are limited by factors such as cost and convenience? The perfect answer may lie in renting a cabin for your family getaway! Let?s face it, going on vacation with your family is not cheap. If you are planning on staying in hotels, you have to worry about the price of the room, the lack of privacy, and the hassle and additional costs of going out for meals at restaurants, which increases both the cost and stress of your vacation. A family of five might even have to purchase two hotel rooms for one night?s stay. Camping can also be quite stressful for a family on vacation. Tents and RVs allow for no privacy, and can get really hot in the morning sun. It is no wonder that cabin vacations are becoming the number one choice for families going out on their vacations! Owners of cabins along lakefronts and ocean sides, and even at ski resorts, have begun to realize that the perfect way to keep their cabins maintained and safe during the frequent times they are not using them is providing them for rental to families who would like to vacation at a certain location but cannot afford the price or inconvenience of a hotel room, and who also find the idea of an outdoor camping experience strenuous. Families can take a cabin vacation for less than they would spend in hotels, with all the comforts of home that cannot be found in a tent or an RV. Cabins that have been made available for rental usually include multiple bedrooms with soft beds, a full kitchen, plumbing, heating, electricity, and often cable or satellite television. In other words, cabin vacations offer all the comforts of home at your favorite vacation destination, for much cheaper and with less stress than can be offered either by staying in a hotel or by camping. Meals can be planned and implemented with ease, and if you forgot to pack enough food there is almost always a grocery store within a short distance. Often, there will be stores that specialize in a specific food you might want to eat on your vacation- ocean cabins, for example, are quite often located in close proximity to stores selling fresh seafood. A family who chooses a cabin vacation will save money over a hotel experience not just in rental costs but in the pricy restaurant costs as well! Cabin vacations are becoming so popular among families that in many resort areas, hotels are becoming obsolete as owners of cabins rent them out to eager vacationers. The cost effective vacation and the insurance that the cabin is occupied provide a mutual benefit to all parties concerned. Visit for more articles on <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">rental cabins </a> and <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">vacation cabin rentals</a> in popular destinations. You'll find helpful<a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com"> cabin rental</a> resources and news.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Bangalore Weekend Getaways
Bangalore, India s Silicon Valley, has much more to offer than being the IT hub of the country. A glorious past and scenic beauty make Bangalore one of the much sought after holiday destinations too. Truly known as the Garden City , Bangalore is a picturesque land what with its temperate climate, vibrant culture, beautiful gardens and eating joints that provide the perfect ambience for a great holiday. Some of the places that you can visit in Bangalore include the beautiful Vidhana Soudha (Sunday evenings is the perfect time to see it, all illuminated); the lovely Cubbon Park which runs through the heart of the city; the Government Museum on Kasturba Gandhi Road which houses a great collection of miniature paintings, sculptures and exquisite jewellery that dates back a few hundred years. The Bangalore Palace which was built in 1880 spreads over an area of 13,700 sq. m; this magnificent structure is another of Bangalore s great landmarks. Old Bangalore remains quite untouched by the developments that the rest of the city has witnessed. It has retained its old world charm and houses several monuments that speak volumes of the city s glorious past. Here there are some beautiful structures that are amazing works of architecture. While here do visit the Palace of Tipu Sultan that was the summer retreat of the Great Hero; The Venkataramanaswamy temple built by the Wodeyars; Lal Bagh  the scenic Botanical garden which is spread over 240 acres and houses several varieties of flora; the Gavi Gangadhareshvara temple that ranks amongst one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. Around Bangalore also there are several beautiful locations that can be a great Bangalore weekend getaway. Away from the hustle and bustle of the fast city life of Bangalore is the BRT Wildlife sanctuary popularly known as BR Hills which is only 235 kms from Bangalore. Spread over 525 sq km BRT wildlife sanctuary houses a variety of fauna and here one can see animals right from elephants, sloth bears, bisons and a number of varieties of birds. It can be accessed from Bangalore by road or rail. A scenic 5 hour drive from Bangalore or a 3 hour rail journey would take you to the picturesque location. Some of the activities you would truly enjoy here is the jeep safari, the elephant ride right into the jungle and trekking in BR Hills for the true nature lovers who are ready to rough it out. While here you can visit the Biligiri Rangaswamy temple and the Doda Sampige Mara (which is a place of worship that has a huge Champaka tree and at its foot is placed more then 100 Shiva lingams). The Bandipur National Park is another beautiful place that can be enjoyed as a wildlife resort near Bangalore. Located at a distance of 220 kms from Bangalore, the Bandipur wildlife sanctuary is 5 hours by road from here. Located in southern Karnataka, Bandipur is the creation of the Maharaja of Mysore in the year 1931 and was later taken over by the Government as a Tiger Resrve. The national park is a treasure house of a variety of flora and fauna. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the park either on foot being a part of the trekking groups or take a ride on the jeep safaris and look out for the animals. The elephant ride is another great way to venture deeper into the forest and see animals in their natural habitat. A good place to stay at both places would be Jungle Lodges and Resorts You can have Bangalore as your base and visit many of the spectacular weekend getaways like Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai, Yercaud, Wayanad, Tirupati to name a few. These places are just a few hours away from Bangalore and you can quickly be transported into a very different peaceful and beautiful world.<b>Author Bio: </b><br> William Nickel traveler and nature enthusiast, experienced in arranging enchanting wildlife tours in India with knowledge on <a href="http://www.wildlifesanctuaryindia.com/safari.asp"> elephant safari, tiger safari, jeep safari, trekking India</a>, <a href="http://www.wildlifesanctuaryindia.com/">economical <b>accommodation in Mudumalai</b> wildlife sanctuary, <b>Bandipur national park and Masinagudi reserve forest in Nilgiris on the Ooty Mysore Bangalore road</b></a>
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Why Cabin Vacations Are Becoming A Popular Get-A-Way
Do you want to take your family on a fun vacation, but are limited by factors such as cost and convenience? The perfect answer may lie in renting a cabin for your family getaway! Let?s face it, going on vacation with your family is not cheap. If you are planning on staying in hotels, you have to worry about the price of the room, the lack of privacy, and the hassle and additional costs of going out for meals at restaurants, which increases both the cost and stress of your vacation. A family of five might even have to purchase two hotel rooms for one night?s stay. Camping can also be quite stressful for a family on vacation. Tents and RVs allow for no privacy, and can get really hot in the morning sun. It is no wonder that cabin vacations are becoming the number one choice for families going out on their vacations! Owners of cabins along lakefronts and ocean sides, and even at ski resorts, have begun to realize that the perfect way to keep their cabins maintained and safe during the frequent times they are not using them is providing them for rental to families who would like to vacation at a certain location but cannot afford the price or inconvenience of a hotel room, and who also find the idea of an outdoor camping experience strenuous. Families can take a cabin vacation for less than they would spend in hotels, with all the comforts of home that cannot be found in a tent or an RV. Cabins that have been made available for rental usually include multiple bedrooms with soft beds, a full kitchen, plumbing, heating, electricity, and often cable or satellite television. In other words, cabin vacations offer all the comforts of home at your favorite vacation destination, for much cheaper and with less stress than can be offered either by staying in a hotel or by camping. Meals can be planned and implemented with ease, and if you forgot to pack enough food there is almost always a grocery store within a short distance. Often, there will be stores that specialize in a specific food you might want to eat on your vacation- ocean cabins, for example, are quite often located in close proximity to stores selling fresh seafood. A family who chooses a cabin vacation will save money over a hotel experience not just in rental costs but in the pricy restaurant costs as well! Cabin vacations are becoming so popular among families that in many resort areas, hotels are becoming obsolete as owners of cabins rent them out to eager vacationers. The cost effective vacation and the insurance that the cabin is occupied provide a mutual benefit to all parties concerned. Visit for more articles on <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">rental cabins </a> and <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">vacation cabin rentals</a> in popular destinations. You'll find helpful<a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com"> cabin rental</a> resources and news.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Subic Bay Philippines
For many centuries, Subic Bay was recognized as a deep safe harbour. Realizing Subic Bay?s potentials, the Spaniards used the bay as a port to defend and maintain the Philippines as a part of their empire in the 17th century. In 1885, it was built into a naval base that utilized the safe harbors and natural resources. After their victory over the Spaniards in 1898, a naval repair and supply base in Subic Bay was established by the Americans. It was only reachable by sea until 1932 when the zigzag roads were opened linking Subic Bay and Olongapo to the rest of the Philippines. The Japanese bombed Subic Bay in 1941 and was held by them until the US took back the Philippines in 1945. The naval base was returned to the control of the United States. The two invasions by the Japanese and Americans produced a number of bombed or scuttled naval ships in Subic Bay. Scuba divers from around the world are now enjoying these wrecks in their underwater graveyards. Control and maintenance of Subic naval base remained under the United States despite the Philippines gaining their independence. The United States was given 99 years free access of the facility via an agreement signed between the Philippines and US. With the outbreak of the Vietnam War, Subic Bay became a strategic site in the maintenance of a strong US presence in Asia. In 1991, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo covered Olongapo and Subic Bay with nearly half a metre of ash. After the Senate of the Philippines rejected the renewal of the US bases treaty in 1992, the Subic Bay Freeport was established after the last of the American naval ships completed its pullout of forces. Since then, Subic Bay Freeport Zone has now become a well-known economic, commercial and tourist hub. It is booming with world class restaurants and duty-free shopping. Subic Bay is situated in Zambales Province on the west coast of Luzon 120 kilometres north of Manila. Mountains with lush jungles bound its coastal area. Mountains with lush dense jungles, suitable for trekking, surround the coastal area. The bay cuts out into the South China Sea. Subic Bay brags of interesting wreck dives. It is home to a impressive combination of wrecks. The six wreck sites have an average depth of 45 ft. Subic Bay boasts of its rainforest and a white sand beach. Its world-class facilities, which include a marina, yacht club, hotels, shopping arcades and food shops, are supported by Philippine tourism. An international airport is another attraction. Nestor Santos is a field reporter for PhilippinesVacation.org, where you can enjoy great articles about the Philippines. If you want to enjoy more articles related to going on a <a href="http://www.philippinesvacation.org">Philippines Vacation</a>, visit the site.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Akumal, Mexico
When traveling to Akumal Mexico one nearly passes this small quiet village by without realizing that it is actually one of the Caribbean coast’s best locations for diving and snorkeling on the Yucatan Peninsula. Akumal is located a mere 65 miles to the south of the Cancun resort area and 50 miles from the Mexican airport. It may be small but it is the ideal vacation get away for families or divers who wish to escape the daily rush of Mexico’s often crowded beaches. Located in Akumal are two very tranquil bays as well as the Yalku Lagoon which is perfect for family swimming or snorkeling. The area boasts of 30 beautiful reef sites that are ideal for diving while the beautiful white sandy beaches invite one to enjoy the relaxing Mexican sun. There is an abundance of accommodations in Akumal, five different restaurants which offer local and European Fare, several grocery stores, a few boutiques or gift shops plus an excellent Dive Shop. Most of these attractions are within a 15 minute walk of one and other. The best part of this small village is that should you be interested in snorkeling, diving, fishing or merely relaxing in the warm Mexican sun you will find you can walk to the various locations although buses and taxis are readily available should you desire them. The temperatures in Akumal range around 80 degree during September to April and during the rest of the year you can expect 90 degree temperatures. The area receives a gentle sea breeze from the nearby Caribbean and during the winter season you may require a sweater in the evenings. The local dive shop will setup your equipment and have it ready for your dive when you arrive at the dock. They have all the necessary diving equipment you will need at reasonable rental rates. You will be provided with an 80 cu. Ft aluminum tank which is filled to approximately 3000 psi. You will board one of the 28 foot open panga boats docked nearby. The dives are generally limited to eight people plus the dive master and the ships captain. Should you happen to be part of a larger group you can easily make special arrangements for all members to dive. Most of the arranged dives are drift dives which take place over very stunning and colorful coral reefs. The typically currents are weak in this area and water temperature hover around 82 degree. The underwater visibility in the area can reach 50 feet up to 150 feet depending upon the weather. A light wet suit is recommended during the winter season. If you are seeking a pristine location with clear water and an abundance of undersea life to view during your next dive adventure then Akumal Mexico is the place you have been dreaming about. Visit our Travel and Vacation Directory at http://vacationsurfer.net/. Rent our villa in Akumal http://akumalvacation.com/.M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends several months a year traveling. He has visited every continent except Antarctica and over 30 countries.several months a year traveling. He has visited every continent except Antarctica and over 30 countries.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Famous Ocean Explorers
Today the thought of yachts conjures up images of sunbathing, Caribbean holidays and luxury. But not so long ago, these vessels were the simple structures that intrepid explorers called home for many years at a time and transported people to places that they could never have dreamed existed. Yachts like the Santa Maria helped sailors find the North American continent while the Victoria was the first vessel to sail around the globe. Hundreds of years ago people were not only driven by the desire to explore the earth, but also to claim the best access to the riches of spices in the East. Many journeys ensued, with some resulting in the most spectacular and accidental discoveries. Even though every corner of the earth has now been “discovered”, man’s desire to explore the oceans has never ceased. To this day brave men and women face the swells to cement themselves in history by conquering the world’s oceans. The Forerunners of Ocean Exploration Bartholomew Dias and Vasco Da Gama The Portuguese have often been credited as some of history’s bravest explorers and the establishment of the Spice Route to India is to this country’s credit. What drove much exploration of the seas in the early years was a desire to gain the best access to the rich resource of spices in the East. In his quest to find such a route, Bartholomew Dias became the first European to navigate around the southern-most tip of Africa. It was Dias who first named the Cape the “Cape of Storms” and while the explorers did not make it all the way to the East on their 1488 journey, they have never been forgotten for their feat of being the first Europeans to sail around the tip of the African continent. Vasco Da Gama was more successful in his quest to create the best Spice Route for the Portuguese and, in 1498, reached Calicut in India. The tales of his cruel treatment of the people living in the places along the route are chilling, but his victory was claiming the best Spice Route possible in the name of the Portuguese. This sea route was far less treacherous than heading overland through Asia and gave Portugal the ultimate advantage in trade in the 15th and 16th centuries. Christopher Columbus By 1493, Italian Christopher Columbus was convinced that a quicker route could be found to the East by travelling west. What resulted was a discovery that changed the face of world geography forever. When he could not convince his own countrymen of his theory, Columbus moved to Spain and managed to convince the authorities to fund his expedition. He set sail in August 1492 and was in sight of the Bahamas within only ten weeks, which he mistakenly believed to be Japan. Further west when the voyagers reached Cuba, they were convinced they had found China and moved inland to “India”. The dark-skinned people they encountered were soon labelled “Indians” and Columbus returned to Europe victorious in his achievement of finding the quickest route to the riches of the East. Columbus returned to his East three times during the remainder of his life exploring Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Trinidad. He died believing he had found the shortest route to the East, never knowing that he had in fact discovered something much, much more important. Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan was not discouraged by the subsequent discovery of Columbus’ actual failure to find a westerly route to the East and set of in 1519 to prove that it could be done. Although from Portugal, Magellan undertook this journey with Spanish backing and set sail in 1519. The five ships in the party housed 260 men who had no idea where they were going as Magellan believed they would be too frightened too continue. A massive storm along the coast of South America forced the ships to seek cover and thus Magellan discovered an inlet — completely by accident. The Magellan Strait, as it is now known, offers a route through the South American continent to the Pacific Ocean on the other side. With one ship deserting the voyage, Magellan and his four other ships suffered extreme hardships on the Pacific and only 18 of the 260 men made it back to Spain three years later. The journey went through the Philippines where Magellan himself was killed in battle and on to the East where the ships were loaded with spices. The Victoria continued west and made it back to Spain, while all of the other ships were lost at sea. The westerly spice route discovered by Magellan and his crew was not used for many years, thanks to the treacherous outcome it had for the many men on board. Instead of discovering a new Spice Route, Magellan is actually credited with captaining the first circumnavigation of our globe, a more impressive feat by miles. Modern Ocean Explorers Ocean exploration has never stopped since the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, but has simply evolved to become more in depth, competitive and adventurous. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the earth’s waters had been explored and ocean travels became more about setting records than discovering new places. The year was 1895 when American Joshua Slocum set out to become the first man to sail solo around the world. He sustained himself during the three year trip by stocking up on supplies from islands along the way and his safe return home in 1898 cemented his place in the history books. The next person to better this record was Sir Francis Chichester in 1967 who managed an around the world feat that only required one stop in a year long trip aboard Gypsy Moth. It was a fellow Briton, Robin Knox-Johnston who, twelve years later, managed to finally circumnavigate the world without stopping — in a lightning fast 312 days. In 1988, Kat Cottee became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in an improved time of only 189 days. To date, the fastest solo trip every recorded to circumnavigate the globe occurred as recently as 2008. Francis Joyon, a 51 year old Frenchman, climbed aboard his 98ft fire-engine red trimaran Idec and reappeared around the world just 57 days later. This took a massive 14 days off the previous record which was held by the fastest female sailor in the history of yachting, Dame Ellen McArthur.Find out more about some of the spectacular yachts sailing our oceans today, many of which are available to buy or charter. http://www.ypi.co.uk/
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Why Cabin Vacations Are Becoming A Popular Get-A-Way
Do you want to take your family on a fun vacation, but are limited by factors such as cost and convenience? The perfect answer may lie in renting a cabin for your family getaway! Let?s face it, going on vacation with your family is not cheap. If you are planning on staying in hotels, you have to worry about the price of the room, the lack of privacy, and the hassle and additional costs of going out for meals at restaurants, which increases both the cost and stress of your vacation. A family of five might even have to purchase two hotel rooms for one night?s stay. Camping can also be quite stressful for a family on vacation. Tents and RVs allow for no privacy, and can get really hot in the morning sun. It is no wonder that cabin vacations are becoming the number one choice for families going out on their vacations! Owners of cabins along lakefronts and ocean sides, and even at ski resorts, have begun to realize that the perfect way to keep their cabins maintained and safe during the frequent times they are not using them is providing them for rental to families who would like to vacation at a certain location but cannot afford the price or inconvenience of a hotel room, and who also find the idea of an outdoor camping experience strenuous. Families can take a cabin vacation for less than they would spend in hotels, with all the comforts of home that cannot be found in a tent or an RV. Cabins that have been made available for rental usually include multiple bedrooms with soft beds, a full kitchen, plumbing, heating, electricity, and often cable or satellite television. In other words, cabin vacations offer all the comforts of home at your favorite vacation destination, for much cheaper and with less stress than can be offered either by staying in a hotel or by camping. Meals can be planned and implemented with ease, and if you forgot to pack enough food there is almost always a grocery store within a short distance. Often, there will be stores that specialize in a specific food you might want to eat on your vacation- ocean cabins, for example, are quite often located in close proximity to stores selling fresh seafood. A family who chooses a cabin vacation will save money over a hotel experience not just in rental costs but in the pricy restaurant costs as well! Cabin vacations are becoming so popular among families that in many resort areas, hotels are becoming obsolete as owners of cabins rent them out to eager vacationers. The cost effective vacation and the insurance that the cabin is occupied provide a mutual benefit to all parties concerned. Visit for more articles on <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">rental cabins </a> and <a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com">vacation cabin rentals</a> in popular destinations. You'll find helpful<a href="http://www.cabinrentalvacations.com"> cabin rental</a> resources and news.
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How To Cope With The Effects Of Jetlag
Jetlag, also referred to as desynchronosis, is an unpleasant aspect of traveling but one which is ultimately unavoidable. Considering the amount of time zones worldwide, there is a good chance that one will cross at least one time zone during their flight. Jetlag has been known to cause insomnia, anxiety and nausea, but the most common symptoms are feelings of disorientation, grogginess and fatigue. Jetlag can last for the duration of the trip, or for several days after you have returned. Although jetlag affects millions of individuals worldwide, there are techniques which can minimize its impact. The first step is to understand why the body is affected by jetlag. With this knowledge, individuals who take flights will be better prepared to cope with the symptoms jetlag brings on. Why the Body is Affected by Jetlag Jetlag is experienced by travelers because the body cannot properly adapt to a different time zone. Some individuals have more pronounced symptoms of jetlag than others. As a result of a long flight across multiple time zones, the confusion the body experiences due to jetlag stems from two main differences: one, differences in the schedules of bodily functions such as appetite, rest and thirst, and two, differences in the body’s access to light and darkness. Younger people tend to adjust better and more quickly to the change in time zone, but, again, it all depends on the individual. Still, some young people experience jetlag while some older individuals may not be affected as much. Jetlag interferes with normal circadian rhythms. This is a fancy way of referring to your internal clock that wants to be awake when it is light out and sleep when it is dark out. Any adjustment to your circadian rhythm will have an adjustment period. Getting out in the sunlight can help you to reset your circadian rhythms. Your body takes its cues from the cycles of light and dark so give it the appropriate cues. The sooner your body is exposed to the new light and dark schedule, the sooner it will adjust to the new time zone. Jetlag also occurs due to an imbalance in the hypothalamus. Ordinarily, the hypothalamus maintains a balance of glucose and hormonal levels, as well as body temperature and blood pressure. The hypothalamus can be thrown off balance by drastic changes in light and darkness brought on by a sudden shift in time zones. As the eyes do not receive an anticipated amount of light, the brain transmits a signal to the hypothalamus that is off schedule with its normal functions. If jetlag has affected you in the past, there is a good chance the symptoms will return. This can pose a problem to an individual who either wants to visit a distant location for pleasure, or must for business. If the trip has to be taken, it is a good idea to add a few days to the trip in order to adjust to the time changes. You will want to maintain a regular sleep schedule so that your body will have a chance to adjust to its new schedule. Constant changes will prolong the adjustment. You may want to save certain activities until the end on your trip so that you will have had time to adjust. That way you can enjoy the full experience or be ready for an important meeting without the symptoms of jetlag. How to Lessen the Effects of Jetlag Besides adding extra days to your itinerary so you can adjust in time for the main part of your trip, there are other, more practical ways to cope with jetlag. You can start making changes to your sleep schedule before you go on vacation so that each night you are sleeping closer to the time that you will be sleeping on your vacation. With less of an adjustment left to make by the time you arrive, you will experience less jetlag symptoms. Also, this may seem obvious, but you do not want to have caffeine for three or four hours before you plan to go to sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant and can interfere with your sleep cycle. Exercise is essential as well. Everyone knows that staying in shape has a multitude of benefits. One such benefit is that the stamina gained from exercising can help you deal with jetlag. The better shape you are in, the more resilient your body will be when it is thrown off schedule by traversing multiple time zones. However, it is a good idea to refrain from intense exercise before bedtime. This can interfere with your sleep as much as caffeine. Consuming alcoholic beverages a few hours before sleep can heighten the effects of jetlag as well. Alcohol causes dehydration, can amplify the need for sleep, and can cause an upset stomach as well. For these reasons, alcoholic drinks should be avoided before during or after a flight. By doing this the effects of jetlag can be marginalized. Jetlag is a fact of life for travelers, but there are ways to lessen its effects. By giving your body plenty of sunlight, staying in shape and avoiding caffeine and alcoholic drinks, you can minimize the effect of jetlag on your vacation or business trip. Knowing that you can do something about jetlag will help you sleep well at night, and make you better prepared to cope with the effects of jetlag on your next trip. Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
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The Most Exciting European Adventure Tours
Adventure tours offer a level of excitement and exploration quite different from an ordinary vacation. This type of vacation typically involves a well planned out tour of not just one city or vacation destination, but several. Also, an adventure tour highlights cultural and historical sites and can involve at least some level of physical exertion; everything from coping with off road exploration to rafting and climbing. There are few continents on Earth which are more fascinating and diverse than Europe. For this reason, among others, there are few locations which are better to experience an adventure tour on than in Europe. Considering the amount of history which took place between European nations, there is much to be discovered. Also, the fact that Europe is comprised of incredible landscapes which are as distinct as the peoples who occupy them, a European adventure tour is truly an unforgettable experience. An adventure tour on the European continent allows you to walk the very lands where so many of the adventures in ancient stories took place. If you are looking for an experience that will provide you with fond memories for years to come, you might want to consider some of the following tour destinations. Scotland Many people have a love affair with Scottish culture and history, so Scotland can be a wonderful destination for an adventure tour. When touring Scotland you can walk the highlands and the lowlands like the Scots of old, either camping in the wild or staying at a different Scottish inn each night. For those wishing to get in touch with Scottish culture, a Scottish adventure tour can be a dream come true. France If you don’t want to visit Scotland, France might be a better option. You might consider hiking the Haute Route, a mountaineering route that was designed to link Chamonix and Zermatt (which are two of the most well-known and beloved mountaineering areas in all of Europe.) You might also wish to go canoeing on the rivers of southwestern France, moving along rivers bathed in history as you can see castles and other historical sites from your seat in the canoe. There are tours that will take you through the Christmas markets of France, as well as the breathtaking cities of Paris, Lyon and Nice. Italy and the Netherlands If canoeing and hiking is not exactly what you’re looking for, consider taking a bike tour of Italy or the Netherlands. Both of these countries have centuries of history and culture for you to take in while enjoying the freedom of biking under your own power. Adventure tours are designed to take you through beautiful and culturally-important regions of the country, and are generally arranged so that you will have luxurious lodging each night to help you relax from the rigors of riding all day. Bike tours allow you to cover more ground each day than hiking tours do, so you will generally get to see more of the country as you continue your tour. England and Ireland If you are planning on visiting England, you might consider taking one of the hiking tours along Hadrian’s Wall. This wall stretches across the Pennines and is considered one of the feats of Roman engineering. By taking a tour along the wall you will be able to marvel at the length of it as you consider that it was built by hand: all while enjoying the beauty of the hillsides of northern England. Similar tours can also be taken in Ireland, where you can see the old rock walls that in many places are still maintained by the descendants of those who built them. Greece Should you want an adventure tour that doesn’t involve quite as much hiking, head to Greece or other locations in the Mediterranean where cruises are offered to let you experience the historic coastlines that helped to shape so much of Europe’s civilization. Unlike cruise lines which have you cruising on massive luxury ships, many of the Greek and Mediterranean cruises use smaller ships built in a more classic style so that you will know the feel of those ancient ships while learning about the culture that surrounded them. Adventure tours taken in this area can include visits some of the most beautiful islands and ancient locations in the world, such as Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion and Santorini. European Adventure Tours by Train Other popular European tour options involve tours by train. Most of Europe is connected by a railway system, and with a EuroPass you can take a train easily from one country to the next so as to enjoy the cultural and historical significance of each. You can visit the vineyards of France, the castles of Germany, and the markets of Italy with nothing but a train ride in between. Tours which are centered around train transport generally include your EuroPass in the price of the tour package. Regardless of the type of adventure tour that you want to take, make sure that you spend a little time exploring the offerings of different tour coordinators so that you can find exactly the tour package that’s right for you. In addition to getting ideas for additional things that you would like to do while in Europe, you may be able to save money on the adventure tour that you take as well.Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often focusing on specific tour vacations such as European tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/.
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Cool Places ? In Hot Malaysia
The pet monkey named Joyng bit through her leash and romped through the fronds of the palm trees, celebrating her freedom. She paused occasionally to heave a coconut down at the sweat-soaked baseball cap of her frantic owner, who was chasing wildly after her and, in the Terengganu dialect which Joyng knew, beseeching her to come down. Such is life in tropic Malaya’s resorts–better known to Europeans (especially Germans) than Americans. Guests enjoy the sun, sandy beaches, swimming pools, eco-tourism, river cruising, ocean diving, jungle trekking, remainder-to-remnant massages and spacious villas in the architectural styles of the Malayan Archipelago. They will also find crab-feeding monkeys, noisy hornbills and monitor lizards sunning them selves on the green lawns as their neighbors. Our press grouping’s have was limited to impertinent local culinary art, sleeping in comfortable villas, snorkeling in warm seas and partaking in 3 health club treatments, which together created a perfect high gear-enjoyment refuge memory. We had first base flown into Kuala Lumpur, ’s modern capital city, which everyone calls “KL.” The cosmopolitan city and business center gained new public awareness when the Petronas Twin Towers topped out in 1996 and occupancy began in early 1997. Tower One is occupied by Petronas, the state-owned petroleum corporation. Tower Two houses Petronas’ associate companies and multinationals. The towers are joined by the 192-foot-long sky bridge on levels 41 and 42. Our final examination dinner was at the Fisherman’s Cove Restaurant, which offered an Asian-fusion of Western grill, Taiwanese dishes, Italian specialties and impudent seafood. The open kitchen, views and state-of-the-art design made it the ultimate dining know at Pangkor Laut. Our drive back to KLIA for our flight home was notable because it was on Ching Ming, the day that people from the Formosan communities traditionally sojourn cemeteries to honor and show respect to their ancestors. The many final exam resting places that we passed, all senior high school on hillsides, were thick with devotees and there were no places left to park on the highway. is a great place to inflict, but be prepared for heat, overwhelming humidity and thunder-showers every afternoon, depending on the time of year. Monsoon temper starts around the beginning of October and continues to January-February. A haunt arrest, with its breezes, is fresher than a check in KL, and dress is more casual. Airlines flies five times a week ‘tween Los Angeles (LAX) and KL via Taipei and III times a week betwixt New York (JFK) and KL via Stockholm. Airlines’ crown jewel, the Golden Lounge, is the world’s largest business–and first gear-class airport passenger lounge, with good food plus corners in which to relax and check your e-mail. Pangkor Laut Recourse was included on the Circus tent Ten Overseas Hotel Spas-Asia and 100 Big top Spas Worldwide 2004 lists by Conde Nast Traveller. Opened on March 1, 1979, the repair has been extensively refurbished under new management. It features 126 luxury villas and 22 resort hotel villas plus a watering place building and two swimming pools. It is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World mathematical group. Tanjong Jara Refuge won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for its updated interpretation of a 17th-century sultan’s palace. It was given the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ 5-Star Diamond Award and the top award in the Malaysian National Landscaping Competition. Donald Jones <a href="http://www.projectbasedlearning.net" title="http://www.projectbasedlearning.net" target="_blank">http://www.projectbasedlearning.net</a>
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How To Choose A Tour Operator
Choose a tour operator can be a difficult process. Who do you choose? What questions do you ask? How can you be sure that this tour operator will give you the right vacation at the right price with the right level of service? The answers all come from the right questions. By asking the right questions, you will find out all that you need to know in order to choose the right tour operator. What Is Their Reputation? This is among the first questions you should ask. Of course, being this general may not produce the information you desire, but it is the underlying goal of this line of questioning. A company’s reputation can be identified by how many years it has been in business, how it ranks in crucial areas compared to its competition, and any awards it may have won. These aspects may provide some insight into what kind of company the tour operator in question is, although there is no better review that can be given than a word-of-mouth critique. If you have any friends, family or co-workers who have used a specific tour operator that opinion is a great place to start. If no one you know has used this company, then find out if the tour operator has any affiliations with business organizations that are held in high esteem. Any awards or similar recognition for excellence is another telltale sign of a company that could be a winner and worth looking into further. Other important questions are: Is this company small or large? How does this affect its service on the personal level? How does this affect the choices it offers when it comes to tour packages? The answers to these questions can indicate what kind of experience you will have if you choose to make your plans with this specific tour operator. A small company may work harder to keep you satisfied with personalized service, and a large company may offer more options. Of course, a large company may work just as hard to make sure you are satisfied, and a smaller company may have just the tour package that you are looking for. You just have to do some research to find out. Rest assured, the more time that you take to become informed about the company, the more comfortable you will be when you make your final decision. Check Their History Another aspect you may want to consider is the company’s track record. Has the company been in business for a long period of time? The answer to this important question can be an indication of stability and reliability of the company. If everything else you have found out about the company is adding up, the length of time the company has been in business could be what finalizes your decision. The more questions you ask, the more information you can learn. Is the company well connected? If the company is a partner with other reputable companies then it may be able to offer you special discounts on related services. Also, does this company specifically have a long history of tours like the one you are looking for? An established tradition of tours may have led to improvements to the tour over time. You want to know what they have done, how well they have done it, and how long they have done it for. What Is Their Relationship With Their Customers? This is a big question and a telling aspect about the level of service the company provides. Although price is very important, customer service is important as well. How friendly is the tour operator? Are they available for questions, concerns, and anything else you may need? Can they tell you everything about the tour that you are considering, and can they send you thorough information which pertains to tours and attractions? Remember, the tour operator you choose will work for you. Providing you with all of the details and the level of customer service you require is important to your eventual happiness with the vacation itself. Find out if the tour operator in question has a website or not. If they do have a website, how helpful is it? If you prefer to do most of your communicating online then this can be an important factor. While you want to be able to get someone from customer service on the phone at any time, a website that allows you to do everything you need to do online can be a big plus. You want the website and all other interactions with your tour operator to have a user friendly feel. The act of choosing the right tour operator starts with asking the right questions. You will trust this company with your vacation and travelling arrangements so you want to make sure that they will go above and beyond to make this the tour of your dreams. By learning as much as possible about the company’s reputation, history, and their relationships with their customers, you can make sure that you have chosen wisely. After that you can focus completely on enjoying your tour.Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific tour operators such as Globus Tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/globus/.
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